Microsoft has announced the release of the Release Candidate (RC) test build of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 to users who are willing to test it. Testers who are keen to have a glance to this RC (build number 6002.1667.090130) can download it via Windows Update either as a standalone installer or as a slipstreamed version for selected languages, e.g. English, Spanish, German, French, and Japanese. Microsoft has highlighted this RC is not mean for public users but testers only. Public users are advised to wait for the final release which is speculated will arrive in April.

Microsoft doesnâ€™t disclose much on the information about this RC. The companyâ€™s official statement has highlighted:

â€œMicrosoft distributed notification of an update to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 testers in an effort to gain additional feedback. We continuously engage with our partners and testers on the development of service packs and we will track customer and partner feedback from the beta program before setting a final date for distribution. We will have more to share on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 SP2 soon and are targeting final delivery in Q2 2009.â€

Previously, the Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 RC-Escrow has been leaked to Internet.